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Who is Syracuse football's best offensive player?

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Junior running back Jerome Smith, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility earlier this spring because of a retroactive medical hardship waiver from his freshman season, is coming off a productive 2012 season that saw him rush for 1,171 yards on 227 carries.
(Frank Ordonez | The Post-Standard)

Readers nominated defensive end Micah Robinson as well as freshmen Corey Winfield and Brisly Estime.

My pick? Brandon Reddish, the junior cornerback who forced a pair of fumbles, snagged an interception and made a few plays in the backfield while primarily backing up cornerbacks Ri'Shard Anderson and Keon Lyn.

Today I'm asking who is Syracuse's best offensive player.

The Orange lost a lot of talented seniors from last year's 8-5 squad. Quarterback Ryan Nassib and left tackle Justin Pugh were both drafted by the New York Giants, and wide receivers Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales are gone as well.

Six players who started the season opener against Northwestern last year are back, but for me it really comes down to two guys when talking about the best.

That would be running back Jerome Smith and center Macky MacPherson.

Smith received word earlier this spring that he was granted a fifth year of eligibility because of a retroactive medical hardship waiver from his freshman season, which ended after two games because of a left shoulder injury.

Smith was a breakout performer last year, racking up 1,171 rushing yards on 227 carries. He had a four-week stretch from Oct. 19 to Nov. 10 where he rushed for 520 yards, helping the team to victories against Connecticut, South Florida and Louisville and turning around the season en route to a bowl game.

Of course, the man in the middle of the offensive line paving the way for Smith was MacPherson, who found himself on the spring watch list for the Rimington Award, presented annually to the nation's best center.

MacPherson has started every game each of the last two years and figures to be the anchor on the offensive line.